Three common question I'm hearing in 2019 are: When should we lock-in our rate?I'm commuting to _______, how's the commute?What do you know about the school?Is there shopping nearby? Locking-in a mortgage rate Mortgage rates dropped unexpectedly in early 2019 providing a unique opportunity for anyone who is house hunting to lock-in a Continue Reading
Local Stories
The following is an archive of my articles about builders, strategies, home inspections, financing, painting, staging, tips, and skills. Start reading and you can search the archive anytime.
Everyday is Earth Day
Everyday is Earth Day in my community. The Town of Vienna has a unique program encouraging people to make donations to support the replacement of street trees around town. About ten years ago, I was talking with the director of the parks and recreation department about street trees that had been removed along Route 123 near Tysons Corner. Continue Reading
Is the wrong school listed online?
The truth is, school reputations can make or break real estate values. And why does public school funding usually become a political hot potato when jurisdictions discuss increasing funding or adding a new 1/2 cent meals tax to help fund the schools? Honestly, good schools cement real estate values. (Of course, if that new public school funding is Continue Reading
Appealing Your Fairfax Real Estate Assessment
If the next owner of your home will probably tear it down to build a brand new home, then you should carefully examine your 2019 Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment. For many owners who live in Vienna, VA, they know the tear-down market is hot since today's home buyers see the Town as an ideal place to live. Builders send postcards and Continue Reading
Stormwater and New Homes
Seeing a small ditch or poorly landscaped rocky area is what home buyers are startled to see when looking at new homes in Vienna. They can become an all-consuming focal point... and not in a very good way. First off, there was a rainfall record set in 2018. Stormwater runoff has become an issue across the country as record levels of rain Continue Reading
10 years ago I started this blog
Then one day you find that, 10 years have got behind you... ~ Time by Pink Floyd There are moments in time such as when your car is 10-years old, your dog is 10, or your kid turns 10, that you realize time passes quickly. Today, 10 years ago, I published my first blog post right here on dougfrancis.com . Short and simple, but a lot of Continue Reading
How has the market been?
At year-end 2018, I often get that question from friends and clients across Vienna. The final numbers will be out in early January but for now... Vienna - Year-to-Date sold listing were down 6.4% McLean - Year-to-Date sold listings were down 9.4% Arlington - Year-to-Date sold listings were down 4.4% I plan to update this short post Continue Reading
The House Survey tells a Story
Reading over a house survey is one of the most important steps you will take when you are buying a home, but you may not see it until you are a week away from the Final Settlement. This official drawing is done by a licensed surveyor who will go to the property and create an original map. After finding the corners and taking careful Continue Reading
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